The excellent golf writer Jaime Diaz pens an extensive piece outlining the battle of short game gurus. Stan Ultley vs. Dave Pelz vs. Dave Stockton. It's an age old circus. Recently the Stack and Tilt phase brought much pub, but who's touting it these days? Bottom line is milk it for all its worth before the next flavor of the day appears.

"It's sort of been overdue," says David Leadbetter, the seminal figure in the earlier rise of full-swing instructors. "Players used to learn short-game shots and get putting tips from other players, but now there are experts in every area. Putting was always considered an art, almost too mysterious to teach. But there is more science attached to it now, and maybe for the first time there's more knowledge than opinion."

None of the great putters of the last 50 years -- Bob Charles, Billy Casper, Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson, Seve Ballesteros, et al. -- had a regular coach to help them on the greens. The same goes for today's acknowledged best: Woods, Steve Stricker, Brad Faxon and Brian Gay. For that matter, Stockton and Utley had no putting coach besides their boyhood teachers. The resistance is evident in the fact that the most recent partnerships were not initiated by the player. Stockton was suggested to Mickelson by his caddie, Jim Mackay, as Utley was to Garcia by Billy Foster. Stockton, at the behest of Mickelson, offered his services to Scott.

But when Stockton seemed to be the pivotal figure in Mickelson's immediate improvement, and when Scott and Justin Rose won soon after receiving a lesson from Dave Jr., it became

Continue Reading ""The Buzz In Their Court Right Now""

The excellent golf writer Jaime Diaz pens an extensive piece outlining the battle of short game gurus. Stan Ultley vs. Dave Pelz vs. Dave Stockton. It's an age old circus. Recently the Stack and Tilt phase brought much pub, but who's touting it these days? Bottom line is milk it for all its worth before the next flavor of the day appears.

"It's sort of been overdue," says David Leadbetter, the seminal figure in the earlier rise of full-swing instructors. "Players used to learn short-game shots and get putting tips from other players, but now there are experts in every area. Putting was always considered an art, almost too mysterious to teach. But there is more science attached to it now, and maybe for the first time there's more knowledge than opinion."

None of the great putters of the last 50 years -- Bob Charles, Billy Casper, Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson, Seve Ballesteros, et al. -- had a regular coach to help them on the greens. The same goes for today's acknowledged best: Woods, Steve Stricker, Brad Faxon and Brian Gay. For that matter, Stockton and Utley had no putting coach besides their boyhood teachers. The resistance is evident in the fact that the most recent partnerships were not initiated by the player. Stockton was suggested to Mickelson by his caddie, Jim Mackay, as Utley was to Garcia by Billy Foster. Stockton, at the behest of Mickelson, offered his services to Scott.

But when Stockton seemed to be the pivotal figure in Mickelson's immediate improvement, and when Scott and Justin Rose won soon after receiving a lesson from Dave Jr., it became

Continue Reading ""The Buzz In Their Court Right Now""

The excellent golf writer Jaime Diaz pens an extensive piece outlining the battle of short game gurus. Stan Ultley vs. Dave Pelz vs. Dave Stockton. It's an age old circus. Recently the Stack and Tilt phase brought much pub, but who's touting it these days? Bottom line is milk it for all its worth before the next flavor of the day appears.

"It's sort of been overdue," says David Leadbetter, the seminal figure in the earlier rise of full-swing instructors. "Players used to learn short-game shots and get putting tips from other players, but now there are experts in every area. Putting was always considered an art, almost too mysterious to teach. But there is more science attached to it now, and maybe for the first time there's more knowledge than opinion."

None of the great putters of the last 50 years -- Bob Charles, Billy Casper, Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson, Seve Ballesteros, et al. -- had a regular coach to help them on the greens. The same goes for today's acknowledged best: Woods, Steve Stricker, Brad Faxon and Brian Gay. For that matter, Stockton and Utley had no putting coach besides their boyhood teachers. The resistance is evident in the fact that the most recent partnerships were not initiated by the player. Stockton was suggested to Mickelson by his caddie, Jim Mackay, as Utley was to Garcia by Billy Foster. Stockton, at the behest of Mickelson, offered his services to Scott.

But when Stockton seemed to be the pivotal figure in Mickelson's immediate improvement, and when Scott and Justin Rose won soon after receiving a lesson from Dave Jr., it became

Continue Reading ""The Buzz In Their Court Right Now""

The excellent golf writer Jaime Diaz pens an extensive piece outlining the battle of short game gurus. Stan Ultley vs. Dave Pelz vs. Dave Stockton. It's an age old circus. Recently the Stack and Tilt phase brought much pub, but who's touting it these days? Bottom line is milk it for all its worth before the next flavor of the day appears.

"It's sort of been overdue," says David Leadbetter, the seminal figure in the earlier rise of full-swing instructors. "Players used to learn short-game shots and get putting tips from other players, but now there are experts in every area. Putting was always considered an art, almost too mysterious to teach. But there is more science attached to it now, and maybe for the first time there's more knowledge than opinion."

None of the great putters of the last 50 years -- Bob Charles, Billy Casper, Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson, Seve Ballesteros, et al. -- had a regular coach to help them on the greens. The same goes for today's acknowledged best: Woods, Steve Stricker, Brad Faxon and Brian Gay. For that matter, Stockton and Utley had no putting coach besides their boyhood teachers. The resistance is evident in the fact that the most recent partnerships were not initiated by the player. Stockton was suggested to Mickelson by his caddie, Jim Mackay, as Utley was to Garcia by Billy Foster. Stockton, at the behest of Mickelson, offered his services to Scott.

But when Stockton seemed to be the pivotal figure in Mickelson's immediate improvement, and when Scott and Justin Rose won soon after receiving a lesson from Dave Jr., it became

Continue Reading ""The Buzz In Their Court Right Now""

The ongoing drama of Sarah Brown vs. the Duramed Futures Tour has reached a supposedly satisfying conclusion. This after Brown was DQ'd during the final round for allegedly using non-conforming wedge grooves (since found they were indeed legal).

"Sarah and I felt it was extremely important to get this issue behind us as soon as possible and am pleased that we have reached an agreement," Keith Brown said. "It is a confidential agreement. We can't give any details of it."

You can see later next week what that amount was by looking at the Futures money rankings. The Browns asked for $5,000 plus entry fees into next LPGA Q-School. My guess its somewhere in between--up to $10,000 or so.

However, the bigger issue is the confusing groove edict by the USGA causing this snafu in the first place.

What the USGA needed was, for lack of a better name, a School of Grooves. It should have been open to one and all. Golf associations, organizations and players should have been invited to attend.

Frankly, the situation has become terribly confusing. Many rules officials are not prepared to deal with the ramifications of the changeover in grooves. Most pros are blindly taking the word of someone else (usually a manufacturer or tour rep) that their wedges are permissible for competition. Most amateurs don’t understand whether their wedges are conforming or not. (Amateurs aren't affected until 2024).

Rick Arnett

The ongoing drama of Sarah Brown vs. the Duramed Futures Tour has reached a supposedly satisfying conclusion. This after Brown was DQ'd during the final round for allegedly using non-conforming wedge grooves (since found they were indeed legal).

"Sarah and I felt it was extremely important to get this issue behind us as soon as possible and am pleased that we have reached an agreement," Keith Brown said. "It is a confidential agreement. We can't give any details of it."

You can see later next week what that amount was by looking at the Futures money rankings. The Browns asked for $5,000 plus entry fees into next LPGA Q-School. My guess its somewhere in between--up to $10,000 or so.

However, the bigger issue is the confusing groove edict by the USGA causing this snafu in the first place.

What the USGA needed was, for lack of a better name, a School of Grooves. It should have been open to one and all. Golf associations, organizations and players should have been invited to attend.

Frankly, the situation has become terribly confusing. Many rules officials are not prepared to deal with the ramifications of the changeover in grooves. Most pros are blindly taking the word of someone else (usually a manufacturer or tour rep) that their wedges are permissible for competition. Most amateurs don’t understand whether their wedges are conforming or not. (Amateurs aren't affected until 2024).

Rick Arnett

The ongoing drama of Sarah Brown vs. the Duramed Futures Tour has reached a supposedly satisfying conclusion. This after Brown was DQ'd during the final round for allegedly using non-conforming wedge grooves (since found they were indeed legal).

"Sarah and I felt it was extremely important to get this issue behind us as soon as possible and am pleased that we have reached an agreement," Keith Brown said. "It is a confidential agreement. We can't give any details of it."

You can see later next week what that amount was by looking at the Futures money rankings. The Browns asked for $5,000 plus entry fees into next LPGA Q-School. My guess its somewhere in between--up to $10,000 or so.

However, the bigger issue is the confusing groove edict by the USGA causing this snafu in the first place.

What the USGA needed was, for lack of a better name, a School of Grooves. It should have been open to one and all. Golf associations, organizations and players should have been invited to attend.

Frankly, the situation has become terribly confusing. Many rules officials are not prepared to deal with the ramifications of the changeover in grooves. Most pros are blindly taking the word of someone else (usually a manufacturer or tour rep) that their wedges are permissible for competition. Most amateurs don’t understand whether their wedges are conforming or not. (Amateurs aren't affected until 2024).

Rick Arnett

The ongoing drama of Sarah Brown vs. the Duramed Futures Tour has reached a supposedly satisfying conclusion. This after Brown was DQ'd during the final round for allegedly using non-conforming wedge grooves (since found they were indeed legal).

"Sarah and I felt it was extremely important to get this issue behind us as soon as possible and am pleased that we have reached an agreement," Keith Brown said. "It is a confidential agreement. We can't give any details of it."

You can see later next week what that amount was by looking at the Futures money rankings. The Browns asked for $5,000 plus entry fees into next LPGA Q-School. My guess its somewhere in between--up to $10,000 or so.

However, the bigger issue is the confusing groove edict by the USGA causing this snafu in the first place.

What the USGA needed was, for lack of a better name, a School of Grooves. It should have been open to one and all. Golf associations, organizations and players should have been invited to attend.

Frankly, the situation has become terribly confusing. Many rules officials are not prepared to deal with the ramifications of the changeover in grooves. Most pros are blindly taking the word of someone else (usually a manufacturer or tour rep) that their wedges are permissible for competition. Most amateurs don’t understand whether their wedges are conforming or not. (Amateurs aren't affected until 2024).

Rick Arnett

Erik Compton is living proof you gotta have heart. Specifically, 3 hearts. He's also leading the first round of the Greenbrier Classic. Started +2 before going 9-under on the final 15 holes. If he wins, its not only the best story by far this decidedly bland Tour season, but dare I say even trumps Tiger's 2008 U.S. Open win. Three hearts beat one broken leg.

Rick Arnett

Erik Compton is living proof you gotta have heart. Specifically, 3 hearts. He's also leading the first round of the Greenbrier Classic. Started +2 before going 9-under on the final 15 holes. If he wins, its not only the best story by far this decidedly bland Tour season, but dare I say even trumps Tiger's 2008 U.S. Open win. Three hearts beat one broken leg.

Rick Arnett

Erik Compton is living proof you gotta have heart. Specifically, 3 hearts. He's also leading the first round of the Greenbrier Classic. Started +2 before going 9-under on the final 15 holes. If he wins, its not only the best story by far this decidedly bland Tour season, but dare I say even trumps Tiger's 2008 U.S. Open win. Three hearts beat one broken leg.

Rick Arnett

Erik Compton is living proof you gotta have heart. Specifically, 3 hearts. He's also leading the first round of the Greenbrier Classic. Started +2 before going 9-under on the final 15 holes. If he wins, its not only the best story by far this decidedly bland Tour season, but dare I say even trumps Tiger's 2008 U.S. Open win. Three hearts beat one broken leg.

Rick Arnett

Our excellent AG publisher Robert Rodriguez fills in for Craig when we broadcast from Crest Infiniti in Plano Saturday morning from 8-10am. We debate the ridiculous ruling by a Future's Tour official and check if the Greenbrier Classic's bribe to win $100 is working. Is this Craig's Wally Pipp moment?

Tune in while you're skulling baawlzzz...

Rick Arnett

Our excellent AG publisher Robert Rodriguez fills in for Craig when we broadcast from Crest Infiniti in Plano Saturday morning from 8-10am. We debate the ridiculous ruling by a Future's Tour official and check if the Greenbrier Classic's bribe to win $100 is working. Is this Craig's Wally Pipp moment?

Tune in while you're skulling baawlzzz...

Rick Arnett

Our excellent AG publisher Robert Rodriguez fills in for Craig when we broadcast from Crest Infiniti in Plano Saturday morning from 8-10am. We debate the ridiculous ruling by a Future's Tour official and check if the Greenbrier Classic's bribe to win $100 is working. Is this Craig's Wally Pipp moment?

Tune in while you're skulling baawlzzz...

Rick Arnett

Our excellent AG publisher Robert Rodriguez fills in for Craig when we broadcast from Crest Infiniti in Plano Saturday morning from 8-10am. We debate the ridiculous ruling by a Future's Tour official and check if the Greenbrier Classic's bribe to win $100 is working. Is this Craig's Wally Pipp moment?

Tune in while you're skulling baawlzzz...

Rick Arnett

Katie Connors. Miss Iowa 2010. In the news recently when Washington Nationals pitcher Miguel Batista "insulted" her for this comment;

Batista told reporters on Tuesday night that Nationals fans booing him, after he was named as the emergency starter to replace phenom Stephen Strasburg, is akin to showing up at an event where Miss Universe is supposed to be in attendance and instead you end up having Miss Iowa. "Those kind of boos," he said.

Connors responded to the slight, telling the Des Moines Register that she is certain she can throw a pitch or two, but wonders if Batista can walk the runway in a swimsuit.

BTW, she throws out the first pitch tonight at the Nationals game.

Katie Connors. Miss Iowa 2010. In the news recently when Washington Nationals pitcher Miguel Batista "insulted" her for this comment;

Batista told reporters on Tuesday night that Nationals fans booing him, after he was named as the emergency starter to replace phenom Stephen Strasburg, is akin to showing up at an event where Miss Universe is supposed to be in attendance and instead you end up having Miss Iowa. "Those kind of boos," he said.

Connors responded to the slight, telling the Des Moines Register that she is certain she can throw a pitch or two, but wonders if Batista can walk the runway in a swimsuit.

BTW, she throws out the first pitch tonight at the Nationals game.

Katie Connors. Miss Iowa 2010. In the news recently when Washington Nationals pitcher Miguel Batista "insulted" her for this comment;

Batista told reporters on Tuesday night that Nationals fans booing him, after he was named as the emergency starter to replace phenom Stephen Strasburg, is akin to showing up at an event where Miss Universe is supposed to be in attendance and instead you end up having Miss Iowa. "Those kind of boos," he said.

Connors responded to the slight, telling the Des Moines Register that she is certain she can throw a pitch or two, but wonders if Batista can walk the runway in a swimsuit.

BTW, she throws out the first pitch tonight at the Nationals game.

Katie Connors. Miss Iowa 2010. In the news recently when Washington Nationals pitcher Miguel Batista "insulted" her for this comment;

Batista told reporters on Tuesday night that Nationals fans booing him, after he was named as the emergency starter to replace phenom Stephen Strasburg, is akin to showing up at an event where Miss Universe is supposed to be in attendance and instead you end up having Miss Iowa. "Those kind of boos," he said.

Connors responded to the slight, telling the Des Moines Register that she is certain she can throw a pitch or two, but wonders if Batista can walk the runway in a swimsuit.

BTW, she throws out the first pitch tonight at the Nationals game.